Main Points

Growing as a community:

Growing as a community:

includes the setting up of a taskforce to reduce long-term unemployment, proposals to introduce free public transport for the elderly and a new grants scheme dealing with fuel poverty.

Working for a Healthier People:

sets out to reduce hospital waiting lists, specifies a new road safety strategy and measures to cut down on the misuse of drugs and alcohol.

Investing in Education and Skills:

deals with student support, the selection procedures and equality of opportunity in education. It proposes an additional 200 undergraduate places.

Securing a Competitive Economy:

envisages a world-class telecommunications infrastructure and a beef quality initiative.

Developing North-South, East -West and international relations:

targets areas of mutual benefit such as energy and transport

Working together:

aims to modernise government and the financing of public services.

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